Doctor insights on:
Is A Mole Always A Sign That A Skin Cancer Will Develop

1

ABCD's:
Remember your abcd's when thinking of melanoma. Look for moles with asymmetry boarders that are irregular color differences within the same mole diameter greater than 6mm

also any new mole or old that starts to itch, bleed or ulcerate should be of concern. Another rule is the ugly duckling rule. Which refers to a mole that looks distantly different from the others on your body.
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Cancer is a group of diseases that is characterized by uncontrolled cell growth leading to invasion of surrounding tissues that spread to other parts of the body. Cancer can begin anywhere in the body and is usually related to one or more genetic mutations that allow normal cells to become malignant by interfering with internal cellular control mechanisms, such as programmed cell death or by preventing repair of DNA damage.
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2

Most often not!:
There are many different moles or lesions that present on the skin during a persons lifetime. The vast majority are benign and of no consequence except for maybe appearance concerns. However there are certain moles or skin lesions that need to be evaluated because of their characteristics. Color changes, inflammation, enlargement are all things that should be checked by a physician
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6

Probably not:
There are many signs that could suggest that a mole could be cancerous. The usual signs of trouble are increasing size, change in coloration, bleeding, and change in shape. The sensation of "bruising" is not usually a sign of cancer. You should have this looked at by a qualified physician. Good luck!
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7

Not necessarily:
Bonnie, you may develop moles during your lifetime. The two keys are to apply sunscreen, and keep an eye on it. If it changes size or shape, or the coloration changes, then get it checked out by your doctor. Hope this helps!
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8

Possible:
It is not feasible to provide a meaningful answer without examining the lesions. However, basal cell carcinoma may present as a white nodule. It would be prudent to see a doctor for evaluation.For good health - Have a diet rich in fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, milk and milk products, nuts, beans, legumes, lentils and small amounts of lean meats. Avoid saturated fats. Drink enough water daily, so that your urine is mostly colorless. Exercise at least 150 minutes/week and increase the intensity of exercise gradually. Do not use tobacco, alcohol, weed or street drugs in any form. Practice safe sex.
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12

It depends:
A painful mole is probable an irritated or inflammed mole. Please show it to your doctor to help you to take care of it by either removal or some giving you some local medication.
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14

Don't take a chance!:
If a mole or any lesion on the skin has been biopsied as a cancer you need to follow through with the recommended treatment. This usually is complete removal by surgical excision. Melanoma kills so have any concerning lesion checked by a dermatologist and if the biopsy comes back as an early melanoma have it excised as this is curative. Don't take a chance.
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15

ABCD's:
Remember your abcd's when thinking of melanoma. Look for moles with asymmetry boarders that are irregular color differences within the same mole diameter greater than 6mm

also any new mole or old that starts to itch, bleed or ulcerate should be of concern. Another rule is the ugly duckling rule. Which refers to a mole that looks distantly different from the others on your body.
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17

ABCD melanoma:
When in doubt, ask your pmd to check on the mole for you to confirm. It will be suspicious if there is change in the size (gets bigger), looks asymmetric, has different colors, irregular border and if you have symptoms like bleeding, itches etc. The image here gives you an example how the melanoma looks like. However sometimes, the abnormality is not that dramatic. Ask your doctor to check it.
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19

Not a mole:
One considers by that a mole is a benign pigmented skin lesion that is a precursor of melanoma. When the first true mole appears it is a small flat lesion. This growth never falls off but rather continues to proliferate and grow in thickness. A pigmented keratosis can be misinterpreted as a mole and is characterized as a growth that can be picked or fall off the skin by mild trauma.
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21

Skin cancer:
Skin cancers often develop from previous moles, freckles and benign (non-cancerous) skin pathology. The important features are irregular shape, color changes and intact orders. If a lesion changes in these areas or is initially irregular in shape and color. Since yours has changes with inflammation and a irregular hole it should probably be professionally evaluated. Photograph to identify changes.
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It all depends on St:
Stage of Cancer determines the prognosis. Early stage Melanoma is highly curable but recurrence of melanoma can be bad news as it carries a bigger risk to your life. So your uncle should go see a melanoma specialist and find out the stage of his cancer and confirm if it is indeed a Melanoma or some other cancer type?
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23

Surgeon:
You can see your primary doctor or a surgeon to have your mole evaluated. Some primary doctors will remove these in the office. Most surgeons will definitely remove them either in the office or in the operating room.
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24

Unpredictable:
Any suspicious mole (if it is black or brown and changing) needs to be examined and removed if it is suspicious for melanoma because the cancewr can spread when it is left intact for too long and prove harmful to you.
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28

Minimally:
While skin cancer apps are getting more reliable, they are not yet sophisticated enough to replace an exam by a dermatologist with a dermatoscope and they certainly cannot replace the diagnostic accuracy of a biopsy. While consulting an app may be helpful, seeing a specialist is best to resolve your concerns.
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30

Creams not effective:
If you have a dark mole you can not remove it with creams nor should you try. The only way to remove a true mole is to excise it completely. If your mole has irregular features it should be evaluated by your doctor.
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A condition in which some element of your skin--which is one of the most complex organs in the body--degenerates into cancer. The three most common types of skin cancer are: basal cell, squamous cell, and melanoma which occur in that order and degree of aggressiveness. Although heredity plays a major role, sun exposure and tobacco use and occupational exposure are risks.
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A mole (also called a nevus) is a localized overgrowth of pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) in the skin. Most moles are benign. However, these cells can become cancerous. This is known as melanoma, a malignancy of melanocytes.
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